KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Al Gore (search) helped airlift some 270 Katrina evacuees on two private charters from New Orleans, acting at the urging of a doctor who saved the life of the former vice president's son....

Gore responded immediately, telephoning Kline and agreeing to underwrite the $50,000 each for the two flights, although Larry Flax, founder of California Pizza Kitchens, later pledged to pay for one of them....

Most critically, Gore worked to cut through government red tape, personally calling Gov. Phil Bredesen to get Tennessee's support and U.S. Transportation Secretary Norm Mineta to secure landing rights in New Orleans....

About 140 people, many of them sick, landed in Knoxville on Sept. 3. The second flight, with 130 evacuees, landed the next day in Chattanooga.

Cypros

09-10-2005, 10:17 PM

I just knew the VP could something more than vacation and scowl. Oh Wait! This is the FORMER VP who is taking action and HELPING people!! :rolleyes:

Nore

09-10-2005, 10:23 PM

I just knew the VP could something more than vacation and scowl. Oh Wait! This is the FORMER VP who is taking action and HELPING people!! :rolleyes:
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